Water service fixture



Dec. 1953 J. K. MURDOCK ET AL 2,664,096

WATER SERVICE FIXTURE Filed Nov. 21, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C I I 24 H M E 29 I 33 a 39 15s 27 JOSEPH KELso MURDOCK 55 A99 EUGENE LEROY 8.9 2/ HAROLD F. OSWALD uvmvmxs. :1 5. l

Dec. 29, 1953 J. K. MURDOCK ETAL WATER SERVICE FIXTURE do ssPH KELSO Munoocx EUGENE LEROY HAROLD F OSWALD IN V HV TORS.

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATER SERVICE FIXTURE corporation of Ohio Application November 21, 1947, Serial No. 787,270

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a water service fixture incorporating an improved construction whereby maximum protection is provided against freezing in various climates and against pollution by back-siphonage and cross-connection between the potable water supply and possible sources of waste and filth.

One object of the invention is to provide a water service fixture designed to meet the requirements of health department inspectors and others charged with the responsibility of protecting the public health against the effects of a polluted water supply system.

Another object is to provide a water service fixture arranged to preclude back-siphonage through a length of hose attached to the fixture and lying on the ground or platform surrounding the fixture.

Another object is to provide means in a water service fixture to preclude the draining of water in a length of flexible hose into the service fixture when the discharge end of the hose is elevated above the level of the service fixture.

A further object is to provide a device of the character referred to which is simple, relatively inexpensive, and thoroughly reliable in its functions of eliminating freezing and pollution of the potable water supply.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fixture of the character stated which is so constructed as to withstand severe usage and abuse for extended periods of time, and which employs no delicate parts subject to breakage, injury ordeterioration in service.

Another object is to provide in a water service fixture of the class described, an improved ejector action by means of an ejector substantially inclosed within a drainage reservoir.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by the means described herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental elevational view of the fixture, largely in cross-section for clarity of disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly in crosssection, of a modified form of the fixture head.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded view, partly in cross-section, of the vacuum breaker valve which forms part of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a valve disc holder, taken on lined-4 of Fig. 3.

Insuring water service fixtures against backsiphonage and other pollution-inducing action, and against freezing at low temperatures, has

heretofore been a perplexing problem to those whose business it is to guard potable water distribution systems against pollution. The problem is found particularly difiicult in railroad yards and other centers of activity where the surroundings are not usually sanitary. Although proposals for the solution of this problem have been numerous, and quite varied in the manner of approach, no practicable water service fixture has yet been produced to afford a completely satisiactory installation. The primary object of the present invention is to meet the freezing and pollution problems in a practical and highly satisfactory manner, with the use of equipment that is simple and reliable in its operation.

Referring to Fig. 1, the hydrant head is indicated at 8, while the fresh water supply pipe conveying potable water from a water main is shown at 9. The Water supply pipe is connected to a valve I6, which may be of any suitable type, such as the plug type disclosed in the U. S. patent of S. J. Nordstrom, No. 1,781,821, dated November 18, 1930, and illustrated in elevation in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings. The many advantages of such a valve are specified in the patent aforesaid, and in various other patents of the same inventor. The valve l0 alternatively may be of the type shown in a pending application, Serial No. 694,601, entitled Water Service Fixture, and filed on September 3, 1946, now Patent No. 2,598,488, May 27, 1952, by Thomas E. Bart. I

Briefly stated, the valve shown in Fig. 1 comprises a body l0, and an operating tube or stem 12, the upper end 13 of which is squared to receive a Wrench I4 by which the valve plug may be turned to open or close the valve, it being understood that the lower end of the tube or stem 12 is suitably secured to a valve plug encased within the valve body [0 to insure its opening and closing upon rotation of the squared end l3 by means of the wrench. Other details of the Nordstrom valve may be had by reference to the aforementioned Nordstrom patents. It is to be understood, of course, that the valve I0 is disposed under ground, below the frost line, the ground level being indicated at I 5.

The outlet port of the valve I0 is connected with a pipe or tube l6, whereby water passing through the valve is conveyed to the constricted nozzle 10 of an ejector IS. The ejector may be of any acceptable type, the exemplified form comprising a body 20 internally bored and threaded as at 2| and 22 to receive respectively, the exteriorly threaded ejector nozzle 18 and the lower 3 threaded end of the riser pipe 23. The nozzle I8, the ejector body 20, and the riser pipe 23 are preferably arranged in vertical axial alignment, as shown. The body 20 and the nozzle i8 may be fabricated witlrhexagonal portions 24 and 25, respectively, to provide wrench gripping means for threadedly connecting the ejector nozzle it with the ejector body 20.

The body 20 will be properly shaped exteriorly to assist the nozzle it in performing the desired ejector action. It will be noted that the nozzle 18 projects upwardly into an ejector chamber 28, the wall 28 of which is provided with a series of ports 29, communicating with the interior 2? of a tank or reservoir 30 which substantially encloses the ejector l9. Any Water remaining in the riser 23 upon closing the valve ill, will'gravitate through the tapered ejector bore 3i into the reservoir 3:; by way of the chamber 25 and ports 29. In order that the ejector action which occurs about the nozzle l8 when the valve Ill is opened will result in withdrawing substantially all the water within the reservoir 30, the ports are preferably located at the lowermost part of the tanl: interior 2?. Little or no water, therefore, will be found within the reservoir as long as there is a flow of water upwardly through the riser 23.

It is important to note that the interior of the reservoir 30 is never exposed to water other than the potable water which may drain from the rise 23, wherefore, it may be accurately stated that the reservoir forms part of the potable water supply line. Regardless of how often water may enter and leave the reservoir, it will never carry contamination or pollution into the operating elements of the hydrant head or supply line, so long as the water coming through the fresh water supply line 9 is pure and clean. The reservoir 30, with its enclosed ejector I9, like the valve is, is embedded in the earth below the frost line, so as to prevent freezing during the winter season.

While the reservoir 30 may be of any do configuration, the exemplified reservoir is for of two cup-like members 32 and the former inverted over the latter, as shown in Fig. 1. T .e members 32 and 33 are centrally apertured .1 are, adapted to slip over the ends of the ejector body 20, in abutment against the shoulders Eli and 39 provided with a flared perimeter adapted to overlap the perimeter of the s cond reservoir member in embracing relationship. Any suitable means, such as welding, soldering, or brazing, may be employed for rendering the reservoir 30 water tight at the central seam or joint 4| and at the upper and lower points 42 and where the reservoir members are joined to the ejector body 29. So designed, the combination ejector and reservoir provides a more eflicient ejector action than anything heretofore proposed, and at a lower cost of manufacture, since the entire combination comprises only four parts, namely: the ejector body 20, the ejector nozzle and the two reservoir members 32 and 33. The rigidity of the structure and its ability to withstand abuse, are readily appreciated.

The hydrant head 8, as detailed in Fig. i, cemp a ow sting of substantial elbow shape, the ports 44 and 45 of which are internally threaded to receive the upper threaded end of the riser 23 and the hose coupling member 45, respectively. A fiexible hose 48, shown in Fig. 2, may be coupled to the coupling member 45, for delivering potable water to coaches, dining cars and the like. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be desirable to aflix a pipe or conduit to the head 3, instead of the hose 48.

A suitable flapper valve, such as shown at 49, may be pivotally disposed interiorly of the head 8, to gravitationally seat upon the annular seat Ell provided therefor. In order to permit an uninterrupted flow of water through the outlet port a clearance for the flapper valve 49 may be provided in the upper interior part of the head 8, as indicated at 51. In order to provide for properly machining the flapper valve seat 50, the discharge port 45 may be of over-size diameter, interiorly threaded to accommodate an off-center reducer member 52, into which the hose coupling member 45 is threaded.

Therefore, when the valve 10 is opened, pressure of the water entering the head 3 will elevate the flapper valve 49 into the clearance area 5i, thus providing an uninterrupted passage for the water through the discharge port 45. Release of the water pressure will, of course, cause the flapper valve to fall upon its seat 53, and thereby preclude water in the hose from siphoning into the reservoir 3?: through the riser 23. This is important, since the capacity of the reservoir, though ample to receive the water in the riser 23, may be taxed to its limit the water in a hose of considerable length is permitted to back-siphon into the reservoir 3c and riser 23, thereby causing the water to stand in the riser above ground level and freeze sub-freezing weather.

The rearward integral extension 53 of the head 3 is provided with substantially vertical cored passages or channels 54 and 55, the former of which is connected with the interior 27 of the reservoir by means of the pipe or tube 56, the connections, of course, being leakproof. The pas sages 5d and 55 and the pipe constitute part of a vacuum breaker which provides exceedingly free but protected communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior 21 of the reservoir.

At the top of the hydrant head extension 53 and in axial alignment with the vertical channel 54 is provided a vent check valve 58, which is detailed in exploded form in Fig. 3. The function of this vent check valve is to close or substantially close the vacuum breaker passage 55 during mild or non-freezing weather, when the main valve In is permanently left open and the flow of potable water is controlled by means of a service cock at the discharge end of the hose which is attached to the hydrant head 8.

As shown in Fig. 3, the vent check valve 58 comprises a transversely apertured cap 59, a disc holder 60, and a disc 51, the latter being fabricated of any suitable material, preferably fiber. The cap 59 is exteriorly threaded, as at 82, for engagement with cooperating threads in the head 8, and may be provided with a square or hexagon head 63 for ease in threading into position. A circumferential groove 64 is provided upon the cap 59 which is adapted to communicate with the inwardly turned upper terminus of the channel 55, as shown in Fig. 1. An upwardly extending central blind bore 65 is provided in the cap 59, and transverse apertures 66 in horizontal alignment with the groove 64 meet the central bore 65.

The disc holder is substantially cylindrical in form, having a central bore 68 and a counterbore 69. The wall 10 of the counter-bored portion is transversely slotted as at H, the depth or the slots H xtending slightly below the depth of the counter-bore shoulder -12, the latter providing a seat for the disc 6|. Because of the depth of the slots II, the counter-bore shoulder 12 assumes the form of a series of shallow coplanar triangles I3 upon which the disc BI normally seats. When assembled, the upper face of the notched wall ll] of the disc holder,'engages an annular groove I4 provided in the lower face of the check valve cap 58, said disc holder being suitably seated at 51, Fig. l, in the hydrant head 8 in axial alignment with the vacuum breaker passage 58. An annular seat I5, concentric with the central bore 85, is provided on the lower face of the cap 58 against which the disc 6| seats to close the vacuum breaker passage 55 upon application of pressure to said disc from below.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the main valve I8 may be left open during non-freezing weather, the flow of water through the instant device being controlled by means of a service cock at the discharge end of the attached hose. It is obvious, therefore, that without the presence of the vent check valve 58, water would escape from the passage 55 during non-freezing weather when main valve I8 is left open, since water under pressure would be present at all times in all parts of the service fixture as long as the control valve at the end of the hose remained closed and the main valve I8 open.

Upon opening the service cock at the end of the hose, the ejector I8 will draw out or eject all the water in th reservoir. The instant the service cock is opened the disc iii in the vent check valve 58 will drop upon its seat I3 and permit a small intake of air into the reservoir, thereby precluding the possibility of the reservoirs becoming water-logged and assuring complete withdrawal of the potable water in the reservoir. The intake air, which comes through the passage 55, circulates through th apertures 68 and central bore 85 of the cap 59, around and under the disc BI through the slots II, thence through the disc holder bore 88 into the reservoir interior by way of the passage 54 and associated pipe 58. I As stated previously, the slots II are only slightly deeper than the upper surface of the valve disc seat l3, so that the amount of air entering therethrough is very small, thereby precluding the eructation of air when water is being discharged through the head 8, as would be the case if air entered the reservoir in voluminous amounts.

During sub-freezing weather, the hose attached 'to the head 8 is used without a service cock at its discharge end, the flow of water therethrough being controlled by means of the main valve I0 each time a delivery of water is desired. Upon opening the main valve It), all water in the reservoir 38 will be ejected, as hereinbefor described, complete ejection being assuredby virtue of the air intake through the vent check valve 58. Upon closing the main valve Iii, the flapper valve 49 will fall upon its seat 50, thereby preeluding back-siphonage of water remaining in the hose. Only the water in the riser 23 will gravitate into the reservoir. It is obvious, therefore, that during cold weather the reservoir 38 will receive only the Water from the riser 23, which will be completely ejected upon again opening the valve Ill. The reservoir is below the frost line, as previously stated.

For purposes of sanitation and anti-pollution, a pivoted self-closing hood I8 may be provided. A perforate lug I9, integral with the hood 18, carries a pin or bolt 80, which passes through axially aligned apertures provided in a pair of upstanding lips 8| formed integrally with the hydrant head 8. A rearward projection 82 may be provided on the hood-lug 19 for contacting an abutment 83 between lips 8I to limit the upward movement of the hood 18, so that it may not tilt upwardly beyond dead center and thereby remain in open position. The hood, therefore, is self-closing, and when a hose is attached to the hose coupling 48, the hoods leading edge 84 rests upon the hose, as shown in Fig. 2. The forward end of th head 8 may be formed with a hollow extension 85 having a vertical wall 88 against which the edges 81 of the hood may abut when in closed position as indicated in Fig. 1. As a result of this fitting of the hood 18 to the head 8, a substantial closure is effected for protecting the coupling member 48 when not in use, so

that contaminating matter from passing cars may not reach the vital parts of the hydrant head and cause pollution of the water delivered therefrom for human consumption.

Suitable guard plates 88 may be provided for the reservoir at the top and bottom thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, as a protection against injury to the reservoir during handling and installation. The guard plates may be centrally apertured to slip over the ends of the ejector body 20, and are securely held against displacement by suitable means, such as set-screws 89. A heavy rim and a series of reinforcing radial ribs for the guard plates are indicated at I88 and I89, respectively. The diameter of each rim is at least as great as that of the reservoir.

To produce a serviceable and durable structure, omitting the objectionable features of a service box at platform level, a heavy plate 90 may be provided to support the-riser 23 andthe main valve casing I2 in spaced relationship approximately at ground or platform level I5. It may here be noted that the riser 23 and the casing I2 may extend to any desired elevation above the ground or platform level.

A modification of the hydrant head is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the head I08 is identical with the head 8 of Fig. 1 in all details except for the position of the ventcheck valve 58 and the arrangement of the vacuum breaker passages. The vertical passage I55 within the integral extension I53 of the head I88, together with the cored channel I54 within the head, constitutes part of a vacuum breaker which provides exceedingly free communication between the outside atmosphere and the interior I4! of the hydrant head. Portions of the hydrant shown in Fig. 2 which correspond to portions of the hydrant shown in Fig, 1 have been given the same reference numerals as the corresponding portions of the hydrant shown in Fig. l with the addition of a prime to each reference numeral.

The vent check valve 58 used in the head 8 of Fig. 1 is used in the modified head I08, being disposed in axial alignment with the cored channel [54. The disc holder grooves II, Figs. 3 and 4, may be somewhat deeper for the vent check valve in order to provide a more copious intake of air for interior I47 of the head I08. The hydrant shown in Fig. 2 is provided with underground members including a supply pipe I8 which receives water from a valve (not shown). The valve may be identical in construction with the valve shown in Fig. 1. The supply pipe I8 directs water through an ejector nozzle I8 of an ejector I9 which directs the water up the riser of the hydrant. Ejector I9 is similar in construction to the ejector shown in Fig. 1. The ejector is surrounded by a reservoir 30' which is ".rzeasose constructeduto receiveirisercdrainageawhen the supply of. water tothe risenis shut 01!.

The -reservoir-30'. imthefixture or Fig.12 nor- 'mally is in..communication: withthe: outside atimosphere. byi way. of thes-risertfisand.the passages I 54 r and I 55, whereaszasuchircommunication in Fig. 1 iszthroughmthe; pipevilitand 'the passages. 54 .and..55.

The functionot the; disc 6 l :is torclose the vac- .uum breaker passages i54 and:l55*.when -.the

.disc .is. elevated against the vent i check -valve .seat .by :pressurerof water:within athe head and to provide. for .ifreei.:anduamplerintake of air through 1 the same :tpassages 'i-when the disc *is lowered, :with watertpressurez atzatmospheric :or sub-atmospheric value. ":Wh'en'ever the *valve is up ened,. watert. pressureiimmediatelyrelevates the v.disc i l ZtOi close the vent check valve '58, as

shown -.in..Fig. .2, thereby: precluding the leakage of water through .therpassage l55.-and onto .theuground :or platfoumsurrounding-the fixture. .Upon. closingt-the main valve; the disc-26 I drops :toiitsseat, :causing: a" rush. of; airxintoz the: head 108 to break theavacuum ithereinz'and. permit gravitation of.the; riser waterito reservoir 30'.

.Attthe -same'time the flapper valve ls' closes 1 upon its'seat-503 120. preclude entry of hose water through the.riser'-.-235;into themeservoir. LInthe event the hose is-raised above the elevation .of z the headil 0B,iany'water.thereintwilhbetprecluded from. draining: into'z the: reservoir 30' by virtue of the flapper valve-45',- whichis:open only-when a flowofwateris passing through head 1081mm the water supplyxline.

. In .both forms-otthe :device as illustrated upon the drawings, the valve disc :6 l: is adapted to ;close the vacuum breaker. passage whenelevated, and I to. open :the .=:passage when @lowered. The

downward: opening :of& the vacuum :breaker passages 55 and. l55-sexteriorlyof-zthe hydrant head, is effective to preclude-entryiotdirt:and filth into the fixture.

The construction is foolproof.-. inexpensive, and easy to install and maintain, witha resultant saving in expense to theuser. "The device-is :sturdy and durable-and will resist'ordinary abuse to the utmost .for.1year round service.

No drainage need Y be provided for, either to the ground ortoea sewer, thus-eliminating thepossibility of pollution through direct .or indirect cross connections with contaminated-sources.

It is tube-understood that variouschanges and .:modifications arepossible in the structural details of the device, within the scope of the apzpended claim without deviating fromthe spirit of the invention,

:What is claimed is: :An' air-inlet water-check valve for a frostsproof hydrant which comprisesa housing having two upright spaced passageways therein com- :municating at their upper ends, one of said zpassageways communicating with the -water sspacerof the hydrant,the lower end of the other massageway openingto the atmosphere, an up- -:right .counterbore 'in 1 said housing extending intorthe point of-communication between said :tWO'i passageways,. an annular member. seated in :said counterbore, said annularmember having :a plurality ofspaced lugs at the periphery there- ..of extending upwardlytoward thetop of the :having (a channel'therethrough communicating .counterbore a' plug in said counterbore said plug with l both passageways; there. being a valve seat .011 l the plug opposite the lugs, and a valve disk .ihousedibetweenthe lugs and the plug, saiddisk .closingthechannelin the plug when water rises in the head and raises: the disk againstv said seat to close the passage leading-to the atmosphere,

the disk resting on said lugs when-the water level .in' the head: is reduced to reestablish communica- .tion with the atmosphere.

JOSEPH KELSO MURDOCK.

EUGENE LE ROY. HAROLD F. OSWALD.

Referencesflited in the file of' thispatent UNITED l STATES PATENTS 

